AM4 Upgrading

[connoreggs]

Hello friends,

I'm writing this in regards to future upgrades. Currently, I have a low end gaming setup that works well for me. I'm rocking the Gigabyte GA-A320M-HD2, a basic AM4 mobo. I'm looking to upgrade for overclocking and more RAM slots. (The board I have now only has 2). Currently there is a sale going on for an X370 board that is very interesting. HERE I know what I'm getting myself into with replacing the board and all, I'm just curious to know if there are any problems I may run into when upgrading; like BIOS updates or software stuff. I'll list my specs for more info.

 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 1200

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti Windforce OC 4G

RAM: 2x 4gb Balistix Sport DDR4

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-A320M-HD2

STORAGE: 1x 500gb Samsung 860 EVO SSD & 1x Seagate 1tb Harddrive

PSU: EVGA 550 B3, 80 Plus BRONZE 550W

CASE: NZXT S340 

 

If you could get back to me with any problems I might run into that would be great, thanks

~Connor

[Mira Yurizaki]

Typically upgrading to a newer motherboard shouldn't require anything extra. It's upgrading to a new CPU that may.

[Fasauceome]

No need to worry about BIOS updates. First gen Ryzen + first gen chipset. It's a good idea to upgrade your motherboard too, and that's a good one to get on sale. 

The software stuff you need to consider is new motherboard drivers, and you might actually need to reinstall Windows, since sometimes it does not like when you switch motherboards.  

[Crunchy Dragon]

You're getting a better overall board.

SLI support, better VRMs, overclocking support, better overall quality.

 

Flashing the BIOS is pretty safe, I've flashed mine twice(Asrock AB350-Pro4) without trouble.

[connoreggs]

Wow I did not expect such hasty replies. 

Thanks guys

[TheStyne]

The only thing you might have to look for is windows activation. If you've swapped anything else out recently, they may disable your copy, so just be sure to tie your product key to your Microsoft account before upgrading.

[connoreggs]

1 minute ago, Fixinit1 said:

The only thing you might have to look for is windows activation. If you've swapped anything else out recently, they may disable your copy, so just be sure to tie your product key to your Microsoft account before upgrading.

I would rather keep my account local, is there anyway to get the key i used in the start from windows before I upgrade? 

[TheGlenlivet]

11 minutes ago, connoreggs said:

Wow I did not expect such hasty replies. 

Thanks guys

Yes, this forum is populated by a small army of windows minimized to the task bar while at work.

Pretty good place to get feedback.

[Stefan Payne]

39 minutes ago, connoreggs said:

I know what I'm getting myself into with replacing the board and all, I'm just curious to know if there are any problems I may run into when upgrading; like BIOS updates or software stuff. I'll list my specs for more info.

The Problem you might run into is Windows activation...

Except for that there isn't anything.

 

Though you should rethink about Gigabyte and read what people using that board have to say. 

 

And one thing to be aware of is dramatically higher power consumption with ASUS Boards. I've measured something around 20W +/- 5W or so, especially in idle.

With either the MSI B450I or the Biostar X370GT7 I was in the 50s of Power Consumption, with the ASUS X370-F Strix I'm at around 70W in idle...

(1700x with RX480 and 2x2400MHz Micron based Kingston)

 

So that is something to be aware of. No idea about Gigabyte though...

But some people claim that Gigabyte doesn't do BIOS well...

[Stefan Payne]

43 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

Flashing the BIOS is pretty safe, I've flashed mine twice(Asrock AB350-Pro4) without trouble.

...when you don't do it out of Windows or wait a couple of days/weeks until you do it. (IIRC there were some bugs that bricked the Board but those are rare)...

 

Long story short:

NEVER FLASH the BIOS from Windows!
 

Use a good quality, not too much used USB stick (for example SanDisk) and use the integrated tools.

Or, if possible and available, the DOS Tools. That is to be preferred over everything (a DOS Based flashing with the command line. Though that's only for someone with some experience with command line action).

[Stefan Payne]

44 minutes ago, connoreggs said:

I would rather keep my account local, is there anyway to get the key i used in the start from windows before I upgrade? 

In some cases you need a spare drive without anything on it and install Windows on that...

Or live with the "activate" stuff in the buttom right corner....